Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Assessing Surgical Frailty with Point-of-Care Ultrasound of Quadriceps Muscles
Published on: July 26, 2024
[Older adults with frailty consulting the Emergency Department]
Maricelis Cruz-Grullón1, Nuria Molist-Brunet2, Eva Alda-Sánchez3
1Servicio Territorial de Geriatría y Cuidados Paliativos de Osona y Ripollès, Hospital Universitari de Vic, Hospital Universitari de la Santa Creu de Vic, Vic, Barcelona, España; Grupo de investigación en cronicidad de la Cataluña Central (C3RG), Institut de Recerca i Innovació en Ciències de la Vida i de la Salut de la Catalunya Central (IRIS-CC), Vic, Vic, Barcelona, España; Universitat de Vic, Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, España.
Introduction:
Managing the care of older adults with frailty is currently a major challenge, especially in the Emergency Department (ED) and the Acute Medical Unit (AMU). The aim of this paper is to describe the use of healthcare resources of patients with frailty admitted to the AMU.
Methods:
Prospective, descriptive and observational study, from March 2022 to March 2023. Patients admitted to the AMU ≥ 85-years-old with moderate-advanced frailty and <85-years-old from selected risk groups (from nursing homes, dementia and advanced chronic disease) were analysed. The degree of frailty was classified according to the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Demographic data, clinical data, conventional hospitalisation and alternatives to conventional hospitalisation (intermediate care, hospital at home), advanced care planning, 3-months mortality after discharge and hospital readmissions between 72hours and 28 days after discharge were assessed.
Results:
A total of 354 patients were studied, of whom 202 (57%) were female; mean age 87.7±3.83 years. 212 (60%) patients were admitted to some alternative to conventional hospitalisation, 120 (56.6%) intermediate care and 92 (43.4%) hospital at home). 138 (39%) patients had a previous assessment by primary care and 85 (24%) patients had advance care planning. 3-months mortality after discharge was 78 patients (22%) and readmissions were 73 patients (20.6%).
Conclusions:
The AMU is a key area for tailoring urgent care for older people with frailty, optimising the use of alternatives to conventional hospitalisation and planning ahead for acute episode and future decompensation.
More Related Videos
05:53Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
07:27Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:30Ethical Dilemmas II
01:26Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
01:26Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...